Perception Engineer, Autonomy (Air Domain) Software

Frontdoor Defense; Fort Walton Beach (FL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Intuition in Fort Walton Beach, FL seeks a Perception Engineer to build and deploy the perception layer of an autonomy stack for uncrewed air vehicles. You will design real-time C++ algorithms, run simulations, and push prototypes to production on embedded Linux devices.

Ideal candidates hold a technical BS/MS and 3+ years in perception/estimation for autonomous systems, with strong C++ and ML experience and a track record in simulation and field testing.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Electrical, Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or a related field, plus 3+ years building perception or estimation software for autonomous systems.
• Strong modern C++ (17/20) for real-time, performance-critical code on Linux. Comfortable with linear algebra libraries (e.g. Eigen) and profiling.
• Solid grounding in state estimation: Kalman filter variants (EKF/UKF), multiple-model filters (IMM), and covariance and uncertainty handling.
• Experience with multi-target tracking and sensor fusion: data association, track management, and fusing heterogeneous sensors that report intermittently and with noise.
• Working knowledge of machine learning for prediction, including sequence models (RNN/LSTM, transformers), training pipelines, and evaluating models on held-out data.
• Python for data pipelines, analysis and visualization of logged and simulated runs.
• Experience validating algorithms in simulation and with recorded data: designing experiments, defining metrics, and reading results honestly.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Vision, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical field; 2+ years of experience in industry.

Responsibilities

• Develop, integrate, and adapt AI/ML algorithms for the perception autonomy stack to collect relevant information across a suite of platform sensors.
• Create interfacing software to autonomously control sensors (EO, IR, acoustics, radar, and RF).
• Collaborate across the sensor, tracking, and autonomy teams for deployment in on-site DoD tests.
• Deploy containerized solutions to embedded Linux devices, leveraging computer-in-the-loop testing and profiling, and efficiently collecting performance data.
• Interact with the DoD customer to understand use cases and triage needs during field events.

Skills

C++17/20

State estimation

Kalman filters

Sensor fusion

Multi-target tracking

ML for prediction

RNN/LSTM

Transformers

Python

Experiment design

Education

BS/MS in Electrical, Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or a related field

Bachelor's degree in Computer Vision, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical field

Tools

Eigen

Job description

Perception Engineer, Autonomy (Air Domain)

Own the perception stack integration and deployment for DoD testing flights

Location: Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Compensation: $150,000 - 185,000 USD / year

About The Role

Perception Engineer

As a Perception Engineer, you will help build the perception layer of an autonomy stack for uncrewed air vehicles. The team turns noisy, intermittent data from many sensors and teammates into a reliable picture of the airspace. This role spans classical state estimation and tracking, sensor fusion, and learning-based prediction. Increasingly, those models adapt online during an engagement from limited and delayed feedback. The engineer will design and implement real-time C++ algorithms, build the tooling and simulation studies that show whether they work, and carry ideas from research prototypes into deployable software. We need someone fluent in both estimation theory and machine learning, rigorous about measuring results, and comfortable working at the line between research and production.

At Applied Intuition, you will:

• Develop, integrate, and adapt cutting-edge AI/ML algorithms running on the perception autonomy stack to collect relevant information across a suite of platform sensors
• Create interfacing software to autonomously control sensors (e.g., EO, IR, acoustics, radar, and RF)
• Collaborate across the sensor, tracking, and autonomy teams to ensure seamless deployment of heterogeneous platform swarms in on-site DoD testing and demonstration events
• Deploy containerized solutions to embedded Linux devices, leveraging computer-in-the-loop testing and profiling, and efficiently collecting performance data
• Interact with the DoD customer to understand their use cases, requirements, and triage needs during field events to deliver a superior customer experience

We're looking for someone who has:

• BS/MS in Electrical, Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or a related field, plus 3+ years building perception or estimation software for autonomous systems.
• Strong modern C++ (17/20) for real-time, performance-critical code on Linux. Comfortable with linear algebra libraries (e.g. Eigen) and profiling.
• Solid grounding in state estimation: Kalman filter variants (EKF/UKF), multiple-model filters (IMM), and covariance and uncertainty handling.
• Experience with multi-target tracking and sensor fusion: data association, track management, and fusing heterogeneous sensors that report intermittently and with noise.
• Working knowledge of machine learning for prediction, including sequence models (RNN/LSTM, transformers), training pipelines, and evaluating models on held-out data.
• Python for data pipelines, analysis and visualization of logged and simulated runs.
• Experience validating algorithms in simulation and with recorded data: designing experiments, defining metrics, and reading results honestly.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Vision, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical field2+ years of experience in industry.

Security Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must hold or be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance

Nice to have:

• Experience with online, real-time learning: models that adapt during operation, not just offline training.
• Background in adaptive control or learning-based estimation (e.g. concurrent learning, Lyapunov-based learning, Bayesian or recursive least-squares parameter estimation).
• Experience learning from intermittent, delayed or sparse feedback, where ground truth arrives late or only sometimes.
• Behavior and intent prediction for other agents, including models of non-cooperative or adversarial actors.
• Deploying small neural networks in C++ without heavy ML frameworks, under tight latency and compute budgets.

Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package, which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.

Applied Intuition is an equal opportunity employer and federal contractor or subcontractor. Consequently, the parties agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and that these laws are incorporated herein by reference. These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. These regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. The parties also agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of Executive Order 13496 (29 CFR Part 471, Appendix A to Subpart A), relating to the notice of employee rights under federal labor laws.

FOR US-BASED ROLES: Applied Intuition is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive application and interview experience to applicants who are disabled veterans and other applicants with disabilities or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations are available, requesting an accommodation will not affect your candidacy in any way, and you are not required to disclose the nature of your disability or medical condition in order to make a request. If you require an accommodation please contact [e-mail] . We will work with you!